Poll: Best Sportive in Ireland

emtroche

I know all these events have their pros and cons but i was wondering with regard to the overall experience, which sportive people think is the best.

And obviously this list doesn't cover every event, so sorry if your favourite isn't here.

ednwireland

atari jaguar

jimm

Tough choice between Sean Kelly Tour and Rebel Tour. Rebel gets it by a whisker for the location/scenery.

Eamonnator

Ring of Kerry is a charity cycle, not a sportive

emtroche

ednwireland wrote: »

atari jaguar

I had to look that up.

Sound.

I should add that this is for a college project at the moment but if things go to plan it will be part of something which may be of benefit to people.

Buzwaldo

Why not just start a poll "What's your home clubs sportive"?

emtroche

Buzwaldo wrote: »

Why not just start a poll "What's your home clubs sportive"?

Because i believe in the integrity and honesty of boardsies!

Buzwaldo

emtroche wrote: »

Because i believe in the integrity and honesty of boardsies!

Touche.
Note, still no votes for Tour de Kilkenny.
(haven't done enough others to compare)

Edit - see there is one now. Honest it wasn't me.

emtroche

And obviously the Tour de Cure Midleton should read

Stephen Roche Tour de Cure

My bad.

buffalo

I've not got a lot of sportive experience, and you can take my opinion as biased if you want, but I genuinely love doing the Orwell Randonée every year, even from before I was active in the club. Great route, sound marshalling, photos, amazing food, and a very friendly atmosphere.

MB Lacey

I've not done any spotives yet, so can't vote, but if people could explain why they chose their favourites that would be interesting to read, thanks

smacl

MB Lacey wrote: »

I've not done any spotives yet, so can't vote, but if people could explain why they chose their favourites that would be interesting to read, thanks

I've only done a few, W200 last couple of years, W100 before that, Orwell Randonee last couple of years, and the first Etape hibernia. I gave Orwell the vote (not a member of the club FWIW), as it is very friendly affair, great munchies, and an absolute ball breaker of a route. I'd love to try more out of Dublin events, (particularly SKT, Tour De Burren and Rebel tour), but the logistics make it awkward. Enjoyed all of the ones I've done so far immensely tbh.

Beasty

Buzwaldo wrote: »

Edit - see there is one now. Honest it wasn't me.

I know it wasn't;)

triggermortis

I've only done 2 on that list. Last years Tour of Louth had terrible weather and I've done the An Post Meath event the last 2 years and that was my first sportive experience so I voted for that.

Beasty

emtroche wrote: »

And obviously the Tour de Cure Midleton should read

Stephen Roche Tour de Cure

My bad.

Sorted

Eamonnator

O.P. You left out one of my favourites, "Lap The Lough".

dermabrasion

I think the most telling result thus far is how low the Wicklow 200 ranks, but I am not surprised. I think that this must be a wake up to the IVCA. This must be the most well known sportive in the country, even to non-cyclists. Yet, is it ranked so low (I know this is not a valid poll). I have always thought it sould be the flagship of Irish sportives, located where it is, when it is run and with its history. But my experience of this event is not good. This sportive must take in a decent amount of money, but it does not seem to be re-invested into the event. I expect that someone is reading this and steaming with rage as they give their time and effort for this event. I don't mean to offend, sincerely. Will I do this again? Probably, because I live in Dublin. But I would I would like to see an event that I would invite friends from abroad to come and enjoy and show-off what we have on our doorstep in Dublin.

rob w

Would be interested in finding out what boardsies think is the best and maybe why? Looking to do a couple (my first) this summer but cant make my mind up.......The an post "Tour de Burren" looks like a good one, would love to give the castle hill a go!

joe50

iveragh 200

buffalo

dermabrasion wrote: »

I think the most telling result thus far is how low the Wicklow 200 ranks

To me, it's because the Wicklow 200 isn't fun - it's a long, hard day in the saddle, and when you get to the food stops, they're crowded. I think it's well marshalled, and a great route, but they've haven't coped well with swelling numbers.

It's a hell of an achievement to complete it, but it's more a medal of honour than something you finish and think, "man, I want to do that all over again right now!"

jimm

Eamonnator wrote: »

O.P. You left out one of my favourites, "Lap The Lough".

Maybe because it's in Norn Iron? :rolleyes:

Edit: No, can't be that as Giant's Causeway is in there.

emtroche

Eamonnator wrote: »

O.P. You left out one of my favourites, "Lap The Lough".

I can't list every event in the country so i selected the ones there seemed to be most chatter about.

But by all means if your favourite is not listed just mention it in the thread and i'll tot them up at the end too.

Inquitus

The Sean Kelly for the sheer scale, and the Orwell Randonée for the awesome organisation.

ROK ON

Mt Leinster Challenge
Mick Byrne 200

Both these events set a very very high bar in terms of route, organisation, quality of feedstops. Every cyclist should try these I feel.

Following that
Etape Ras Mumhan for the route and the stew and the showers.

Chain Gang Blasket Blast- great route. Excellent organisation and marshalling.
Stunning foodstops - they have more types of cake at the finish line than a large bakery in a town populated by fat people who only eat cake would stock.

Finally. Iveragh 200. Stupidly difficult. Steep climbs, crap roads. Long lonely day. Weather is usually abysmal (full winter gear in July - not kidding).

Honourable mention. Mick Dineen Sportif by Valley Wheelers. Great route and fantastic spread at half way and finish line.

Mercian Pro

Mick Byrne 160 but only if they have the creamed rice cones. Sean Kelly, the Orwell Randonee and the Rebel Tour are on the "to do " list.

ROK ON

The thing that I don't get about the really big events is that the organisation is often compromised by the size. Usually there is no shower or changing facilities, whereas at very many smaller events there are. Big consideration of you have to drive home after 5-8hours in the saddle. Also the food stops at large events are sub par. Crap sandwiches and queues. Albeit given the size of big events you do get the big day out feel.

You see, when you hand over your coin you pay for access to facilities and support.

Something that struck me reading this and another post was how much people enjoyed the An Post Rebel tour since it moved to Glengariff and did the Ring of Beara. I did it as opposed to doing the Chain Gangs sportif. Two reasons, I did last two Chain vang sportifs and had not dine Rebel Tour previously.
The route is spectacular - the Ring of Beara has the finest cycling on some challenging roads in the country, bar none. I think ghat this is why folks liked the event. However I have to say that I thought the food stop, marshalling and finish line support was decidedly average. The event that I choose to miss has far superior organisation and support. In the two times that I did the Chain Gang sportif two things happened that brought a smile to my face, year 1 - a girl in a passing car pinched my bum as I crested the final climb outside Tralee, and in the second year when I was not feeling good a got a bottle of water and a sticky bottle from one o the organisers as I beaded into Castlemaine.
Class.

ednwireland

seeing as i get dropped on the smallest of climbs i find the big events good for picking up bunches and getting round quicker, on smaller events i tend to end up riding round on my own so i don't bother i can do that without paying someone a tenner (i would do more club events if i could keep up but i cant )

Murph100

+1 on the Chaingangs Blasket Blast. Epic route, excellent food & marshalling ... if Carlsberg did Sportives, it would probably be this !

shaka

Rebel tour ,simples

smacl

CTGC wrote: »

<snipped by CH>

Setting up a boards account to tout an event with a €300 minimum sponsorship. Good luck with that!

Plutonium Kun

Its hard to be sure of course as not many people will have ridden all (or even most of those), but I have to say I think the Sean Kelly is the best organised - I think they do a good job in making sure everyone from hardened riders to the most nervous newbie on a hybrid is catered for. The routes are nice too, a good mix of gentle countryside with some tough climbs.

I did the Rebel Tour last year, and as a route its hard to beat, really amazing roads.

The Tour de Burren is great - I've just done it once, and despite the horrible weather it was great. I liked the fact that all the locals seemed to be happy to co-operate with it. The non-cycling friend who came with me said she enjoyed the atmosphere in Ballyvaughan as she waited for me.

I'd agree that the low vote for the Wicklow 200 is a wake up call. Its potentially the best event by far in the country - wonderful roads on the doorstep of Dublin, a great history, a well known name. I hate to criticise people who do a lot of work, but they should really learn from some of the An Post events how to make a ride more inclusive. I really don't know why, for example, they can't add a few more loops - there should be a shorter route for families and beginners, and a 150 km for those trying to build up to the big one. 200 km is just too much for many people to be fun, it becomes an effort when it should be an experience. I must admit that as a non-car owner I was really mad when they shifted it out to Greystones. When it started in UCD it was great for Dubliners (i.e. the great majority of riders) - the fact that for most of us we could just ride to and from the start added a lot to it. Going to Greystones means it becomes as much a logistical issue to get to the start in the morning as any sportif in the west.

MediaMan

For me it's the Orwell Randonee for the tough route and great support, and the Sean Kelly for the well, the tough route and great support. Marginal call, but gave it to the Sean Kelly for the climb up Mahon Falls - spectacular.

Konkers

Re change of venue for w200 totally agree with the below. Although maybe they are staying true to the name.

Plutonium Kun wrote: »

?............. I must admit that as a non-car owner I was really mad when they shifted it out to Greystones. When it started in UCD it was great for Dubliners (i.e. the great majority of riders) - the fact that for most of us we could just ride to and from the start added a lot to it. Going to Greystones means it becomes as much a logistical issue to get to the start in the morning as any sportif in the west.

Did the Orwell randonee for the first time last year........ Best so far. Looking forward to it again.

Arthurdaly

In my 3 year experience doing sportives in Ireland the below are standout events for me.

Tour De Connemara 2012: Tops the pile for me, absolutely stunning route and the weather last year was certainly a contributing factor. I had to travel and stayed down in Clifden for two nights, had a few pints/food in local pubs (locals are lovely). Yes the entry was a little on the expensive side compared to others but the rain jacket more than made up. Few pints at the finish area in sunshine and great buzz. An event I will remember for a years to come.

Tour de Burren 2011: Again the route is simply spectacular especially the last 20/30km along the coast. There was an incredible amount of cheesecake and chocalte brownies on offer at the foodstops:)

Notable mentions for Mount Leinster Challenge, Tour of Kilkenny.